The Tower Project.

Why?

If you ever had to ask this question, you are obviously not a ham!  Or at least not a hard core one.

Anyway, ever since I got my license, I dreamed of being one of "the big guns." You know those guys, the guys with the big towers, stacks of antennas, contest wins, or at least not close to last place and literally clearing the pileups. I said to myself the minute I purchase a home, a tower is going up. Well in February 2007, the home was purchased, on 6 acres of land, approximately 800ft ASL. Tower time baby!

Decisions, decisions...

First came the selection of the antenna and tower. After soliciting advice from QRZ.com forums, I decided that a self supporting tower would be what I want. I know that guy wires are messy, and I want absolutely nothing to do with them. So I chose AN Wireless and their line of self supporting towers. They make some awesome stuff, by the way, all hot dip galvanized and really strong. As for the antenna, I had my heart set on a SteppIR. However, John and I disagreed on that. John doesn't like the idea of moving parts, but I like the idea of not stressing my rotor, and I also like "a mono band antenna on every frequency." Brian NY4PD, who is also from Trinidad gave me a demo of his SteppIR and I was pretty impressed. So SteppIR it is.

Permitting issues

When I was house shopping, I made absolutely sure that there were no restrictive Covenant Codes and Restrictions (CC&R's) or a Home Owners Association (HOA). My attorney made absolutely certain that before closing we would encounter no issues with CC&R's.

However, I had to deal with the township. Town ordinances restrict commercial antennas (but these are usually chewed up and spit out in court) but specifically exempt ham antennas. Also, PRB-1 gives us some protection. So I called the town's building department. AN Wireless sent me some dry sealed plans that I could use for a permit application. I also drew up a plot plan.

When I went to apply for the permit, the zoning official told me that my app would be denied because of the 70ft height. I told him that the town ordinances exempt amateur antennas. He told me to e-mail him a copy of where it says that amateur antennas are exempt, and I did. Incidentally, the ordinances are available at the wantage township website. Anyway, he e-mailed me a few days later saying that he consulted with the town's land use attorney, and that previous case law had found that municipalities cannot unreasonably restrict amateur antennas.

I got a denial notice because my plans weren't wet sealed by a NJ PE. No biggie, AN Wireless' engineering firm supplied sealed plans (for a reasonable fee). On May 21, after I had returned from Dayton, I had the permit in hand.

The latest updates: I have lots to write, but so little time. Suffice to say, I got my tower, but it is not up in the air yet. I am still waiting on my antenna from SteppIR. More details to come!